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Transcripts to be released in Ianne indictment

A Pueblo District Judge ruled Friday afternoon that hundreds of pages of testimony that resulted in an indictment against Pueblo businessman Tony Ianne may be released to the defense.

The scene, in Judge David Crockenburg's court was unusual, with six attorneys present, plus another on the phone. Ianne was charged in December with 72 counts related to mortgage fraud. The case centers on selling properties to people who couldn't afford them.

But the hearing centered on the legal process. Early on, there were charges of a conflict of interest within the system. A special prosecutor, Cynthia Kowert from Adams County has been investigating. She testified over the phone that she is almost finished with interviews and should make a decision on how to proceed within two weeks. Defense Attorney Randy Jorgensen told News First Kowert had talked to him, but he said he doesn't know what the conflict might be.

Judge Crockenburg scheduled a hearing on April 23 to hear what Kowert has decided.

Crockenburg also told the District Attorney's office to release hundreds of pages of unedited transcripts of testimony of the grand jury proceedings which resulted in Ianne's indictment. He said he is still reading what's called a colloquy, which is everything that was said in the presence of the grand jury. Jorgensen had asked for that record as part of his defense of Ianne. Crockenburg said he will only release that record if there is a reason the defense needs to see it.